Dance under the stars on the rooftop of the China Club in the heart of Times Square. The lounge – which just removed its canvas tent ceiling to reveal an enchanting Manhattan skyline – will open to after-work crowds in mid-June.

Its convenient Midtown location and scenic vista make the cafe an ideal place to meet friends after work, but come early – or risking standing on line as your friends are already getting slushy.

“It’s very beautiful to overlook the park,” says a cafe spokesperson, “and that appeals to a lot of people.”

No cover. In the park, between 40th and 42nd streets (between Fifth and Sixth avenues), 5 to 10 p.m.

* HUDSON HOTEL

If you want to impress a date or simply feel like royalty, indulge in the outdoor courtyard of the Hudson hotel. As music is piped in from the main bar, you can drink cosmos while lounging on a pillow bed. Order a snack from the full kitchen – the mac and cheese is to die for.